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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: (i) That the Work Programme as attached at Appendix 1 be agreed, subject to recommendation (ii) below; (ii) That reports in respect of weed control and open space strategy be combined and that this report be considered at the April 2025 meeting.
AGREED: i) To thank the Lead Member and Officers for the report and presentation and to support the future use of this format. ii) That the Housing Department staff and related contractors be thanked for their work in delivering the service. iii) To receive a future update report on the Department. Tis to include details of relevant targets and performance against them, together with related historical performance.
There were no apologies for absence.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 – Housing Performance Councillors Emma Holland, Steve Joe Jones, Claire Lovett, Paul Pemberton, John C Phillips and Paul Rogers – Personal and non prejudicial – Relatives employed by Wrexham County Borough Council in the Housing Department. Councillor Emma Holland – Personal and non prejudicial – family member rents property to WCBC. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: (i) That the Work Programme as attached at Appendix 1 be agreed, subject to recommendation (ii) below; (ii) That reports in respect of weed control and open space strategy be combined and that this report be considered at the April 2025 meeting.
AGREED: (i) That the Work Programme as attached at Appendix 1 be agreed, subject to recommendation (ii) below; (ii) That reports in respect of weed control and open space strategy be combined and that this report be considered at the April 2025 meeting.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: i) To thank the Lead Member and Officers for the report and presentation and to support the future use of this format. ii) That the Housing Department staff and related contractors be thanked for their work in delivering the service. iii) To receive a future update report on the Department. Tis to include details of relevant targets and performance against them, together with related historical performance.
The Lead Member introduced his report and responded to questions accordingly thereafter with input from the relevant Officers. The Housing Department gave a detailed presentation and Officers responded to relevant questions thereafter. A number of Members commented on the excellent progress that had been made across the Housing Department and the thanked the Lead Member and Officers for their commitment to these ongoing improvements. Particular points were raised in respect of:- • Progress that has been made in respect of Housing Repairs. • New systems have been introduced to monitor the stock and support related energy management. • The number of voids over recent years had been reduced from over 500 to 182. • Internal training of staff to support EPC will reduce reliance on external providers. • There had been some success with porty buy backs and builds during the year. • Levels of rent arrears were in line with the existing trend. • A review of sheltered housing provision was nearing completion. • The waiting list for contracts is stable, and the Council is moving toward 100% of nominations. • There has been an increase in homelessness and related support, and provision will change when the new white paper is introduced. • Prisoners released from HMP Berwyn are only entered onto the waiting list only if they have a local connection. • Evictions can be carried out if a person in arrears does not engage in the process of reducing them. • A future update on the performance of the Department could include additional performance targets as these are developed, The Lead Member thanked Officers and in particular the Chief Officer for Housing, Mrs Julie Francis, who would soon be retiring. He formally recognised the commitment she had shown in this role and the progress that had been made within the Department under her leadership. Members of the Committee echoed these sentiments and thanked Mrs Francis for her achievements in her career. She thanked the Committee and outlined that she had enjoyed her career, and she was particularly proud of recent development of high quality older persons accommodation. AGREED: i) To thank the Lead Member and Officers for the report and presentation and to support the future use of this format. ii) That the Housing Department staff and related contractors be thanked for their work in delivering the service. iii) To receive a future update report on the Department. Tis to include details of relevant targets and performance against them, together with related historical performance.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
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